Philadelphia’s Italian Market Pageant returned in full pressure over the previous weekend, reworking South ninth Road right into a vibrant celebration of meals, tradition, and group spirit. As one of many metropolis’s oldest and most beloved traditions, the pageant honors the 110-year legacy of the Italian Market, the nation’s oldest and longest-running out of doors market, and attracts hundreds of tourists from throughout the area.
Pageant Highlights and Environment
The pageant stretched throughout a seven-block space from Fitzwater to Wharton streets, filling the neighborhood with greater than 120 distributors providing an array of culinary delights, refreshing drinks, and distinctive artisanal items. Attendees loved every little thing from traditional cannolis and pizza to trendy vegan treats, all whereas sipping on aperol spritzes and different Italian favorites. The vigorous ambiance was amplified by dwell music from native DJs and bands, together with SlayTownCity, the Juliano Brothers, and Michael James Band, offering a festive soundtrack all through the weekend.
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The grease pole loomed giant over the 2025 Italian Market Pageant. (Julia Binswanger/Billy Penn) -
A contestant tried to climb the grease pole on the 2025 Italian Market Pageant. (Julia Binswanger/Billy Penn) -
Grease pole climbing contestants work to climb the pole on the 2025 Italian Market Pageant. (Julia Binswanger/Billy Penn)
Greased Poles and Procession of Saints
Two of the pageant’s most anticipated traditions took heart stage. The Greased Pole Climb — the place groups try to scale a 30-foot pole slicked with grease — drew crowds of cheering spectators. This yr, the competitors noticed a vegan climber take the highest prize, a testomony to the occasion’s inclusive and evolving spirit. Victorious groups earned not solely bragging rights but in addition prizes — together with meats, cheeses, present playing cards and money.
The pageant’s deep cultural roots have been on show throughout Sunday’s Procession of Saints. The morning started at St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi Church, with contributors guiding statues of revered saints — together with St. Ann, St. Lucy, and Our Girl of Guadalupe — by way of the pageant streets. For a lot of households, this procession is a cherished custom, connecting generations and honoring their Italian heritage.
Household Enjoyable and Group Spirit
Past meals and spectacle, the Italian Market Pageant supplied a variety of actions for all ages, from arts and crafts to the John Marzano Half Ball Match. The occasion’s inclusive, block-party ambiance made it a spotlight of Philadelphia’s spring calendar, welcoming each longtime residents and first-time guests to expertise the distinctive mix of historical past, custom, and trendy festivity that defines South Philly.
